We are a little more than a week away from Stable View’s inaugural Advanced Oktoberfest Horse Trials on Oct. 1-2, and the event has unveiled the entry list of riders who will compete. This is the first Advanced event to be held in the Aiken area, and the response from top level riders has been exceptional.

The Stable View organizers are sweetening the deal with some serious prize money as well, offering up to $60,000 in the Advanced division and up to $15,000 for the Beginner Novice through Preliminary divisions.

This is also an excellent opportunity for young riders to familiarize themselves with the competition venue at Stable View with the upcoming 21 Challenge Young Rider Series kicking off during the March 2017 horse trials.

Entries closed on Sept. 13 for the Oktoberfest horse trials, but it’s not too late to enter. Entries with a late fee will be accpeted until Monday, Sept. 26. Click here for the omnibus details.

Capt. Mark Phillip’s Advanced course will run through the main arena and derby field. Photo courtesy of Stable View.

Advanced Division Entries

There are 37 entries in the Advanced, and the event has split the Open Preliminary division due to the overwhelming number of entries. Here’s a look at the entry list for the inaugural Advanced, with Olympians and top riders from all across the U.S. making the trip to Aiken to compete. Who do you think will come out on top?

In celebration of the first Advanced horse trials, Stable View is hosting several course walks throughout the morning of the Advanced and Preliminary competition on Saturday, Oct. 1. If you plan to attend the event in Aiken, please plan to register that morning for course walks.

Capt. Mark Phillips will lead a cross country course walk at 9:30 a.m., with Olympian Boyd Martin also leading a course walk at 10:30 a.m.; both will leave promptly from the start box at that scheduled time. You can see the new Advanced course firsthand, featuring ETB Jumps on the irrigated grass track, derby field and new galloping lanes.

There will also be stadium course walks hosted by leading industry course designer Richard Jeffery throughout the morning in the outdoor stadium arena from 9 a.m.-noon. A donation of $10 is suggested to join in the course walks, with proceeds supporting a wonderful organization in the Cumbee Center to Assist Abused Persons.

Finally, a ribbon cutting ceremony to present the new Advanced level cross country course will be held at noon at the Offset Combination at fence 20. Please join us for this celebration.

The weekend is certain to be action-packed with incredible horse sport and plenty of entertainment with local vendors, sponsor parties and a bit of non-equestrian horse power as well, and we hope to see you there. Check out all of the Advanced Oktoberfest horse trials event on the Stable View website here.